Pontoon protective cover device and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for protecting a floatation device includes an elongate body, the elongate body including a closed front end and an open back end, a securing mechanism removably attached to the open back end of the elongate body wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a floatation device in the elongate body. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device is useful for protecting a floatation device such as a pontoon on a watercraft. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device slides over the front end of the pontoon and is secured by a securing mechanism at the rear end of the pontoon to prevent the pontoon from coming into direct contact with rocky shores and docks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/401,865 filed Sep. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of ships of existing art and more specifically relates to boat attachments.

RELATED ART

Generally, a pontoon is a hollow cylinder with sufficient buoyancy to float itself as well as a heavy load. Pontoons may be used on boats, rafts, and other water-faring vehicles. The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull. Draft determines the minimum depth of water a ship or boat can safely navigate. Many conventional pontoon boats have a relatively shallow draft with some measuring as little as eight inches. While such a shallow draft does help prevent running aground as well as underwater damage, pontoon boats are susceptible to waves and wind pushing them across the surface of the water which is not desirable.

Furthermore, many pontoon boats have poor handling which can lead to accidents and costly repairs. If a pontoon is damaged beyond repair, replacement pontoons can cost boat owners thousands of dollars. Many pontoons are manufactured from lightweight materials such as aluminum or plastic. These materials, while suitable in weight and efficiency lack the durability a pontoon may need when encountered with rocky waters and docking areas. Thus, a suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,754 to Carlie Lee Sims, Jr. relates to a boat keel/hull protector. The described boat keel/hull protector includes a protective device to be installed onto the keel or hull of a watercraft, such as the pontoon of a pontoon boat which can be easily installed by a boat owner without professional assistance. Furthermore, the protective device is securely attached to the bow of the boat and provides effective impact resistant protection to the bottom of the boat without detaching or degrading over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known boat attachment art, the present disclosure provides a novel pontoon protective cover device and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an effective pontoon protective cover device and method.

An apparatus for protecting a floatation device is disclosed herein. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device includes an elongate body, the elongate body including a closed front end and an open back end and a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism includes a first end and a second end and is removably attached to the open back end of the elongate body. The securing mechanism is configured to secure the elongate body in place and protect a floatation device from damage.

According to another embodiment, a method of using an apparatus for protecting a floatation device is also disclosed herein. The method of using an apparatus for protecting a floatation device includes a first step, providing an apparatus for protecting a floatation device, the apparatus comprising an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end and a securing mechanism, a second step, sliding the open back end of the elongate body over a pontoon of a watercraft until the pontoon is captured by the closed front end of the elongate body, and a third step, locking the securing mechanism in a closed position. The device may be removed when desired.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a pontoon protective cover device and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a rear-perspective view of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side-perspective view of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side-perspective view of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side-perspective view of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the apparatus for protecting a floatation device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to boat attachments and more particularly to a pontoon protective cover device and method as used to improve the protection to the host watercraft.

Generally, an apparatus for protecting a floatation device provides protection for the watercraft, preventing direct contact with rocky shores and docks. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device comprises a protective cover for a pontoon. The cover can be made from hard plastic or other suitable material and may be slightly larger in diameter than an actual pontoon. The cover slides onto a pontoon, from the front to the back, covering the deflectors. A strap positioned at the rear of the cover secures the cover in position on the pontoon. The cover may be offered in a wide range of sizes to accommodate virtually any pontoon currently on the market, and can also be offered in various colors and designs to enhance the overall appearance of the pontoon.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to protect a pontoon 110 of a watercraft by preventing their direct contact with rocky shores and docks. As illustrated, the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may include an elongate body 120 as shown in FIG. 3. The elongate body 120 may further include a closed front end 130 and an open back end 140 as seen in FIG. 3. The closed front end 130 of the elongate body 120 may be substantially tapered to conform to the shape of a pontoon 110. The open back end 140 may be configured in a general u-shape and may comprise a left portion 200 and a right portion 210. Furthermore, the open back end 140 of the elongate body 120 may comprise a left-portion-uppermost-end 220 and a right-portion-uppermost-end 230.

The elongate body 120 may also include a securing mechanism 150. The securing mechanism 150 may be provided as a strap including a first end 160 and a second end 170 is provided to secure the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 to a pontoon 110. The first end 160 of the securing mechanism 150 may be attached to the left portion 200 of the open back end 140 of the elongate body 120, below the left-portion-uppermost-end 220. The second end 170 of the securing mechanism 150 may be attached to the right portion 210 of the open back end 140 of the elongate body 120, below the right-portion-uppermost-end 230.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 such that the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 can be installed, used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may include an open back end 140 that is generally u-shaped for receiving the end of a pontoon 110. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may be structured and configured to slide over a pontoon 110. The elongate body 120 may be constructed from a hard plastic wherein the diameter of the elongate body 120 is greater in length than the diameter of the pontoon 110 that the elongate body 120 will receive.

The elongate body 120 may include a closed front end 130. The closed front end 130 may be substantially tapered to receive the tapered end of a pontoon 110. The elongate body may further include an open back end 140, the open back end 140 comprising a left portion 200 and a right portion 220. The left portion 200 may further include a left-portion-uppermost-end 220. The right portion 220 may also include a right-portion-uppermost-end 230. The left-portion-uppermost-end 220 and right-portion-uppermost-end 230 are configured to envelope and cradle a pontoon 110 there between.

FIG. 3 is a side-perspective view of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3 the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 can be seen being slid into place on a pontoon 110. The securing mechanism 150 may be removably attached to the open back end 140 of the elongate body 120 to allow the securing mechanism 150 to be removed to facilitate the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 being applied to a pontoon 110. The tapered closed front end 130 of the elongate body 120 is shown to be of suitable form to receive the front end of a pontoon 110.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 is now shown secured in place on a pontoon 110. Once the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 is slid onto the pontoon 110 the securing mechanism 150 may be locked in place to prevent the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 from detaching from the pontoon 110. The open back end 140 can be seen disposed about the rear end of the pontoon 110. The first end 160 of the securing member 150 is shown attached to the left portion 200 of the open back end 140 below the left-portion-uppermost-end 220. The second end 170 of the securing member 150 is shown attached to the right portion 210 of the open back end 140 below the right-portion-uppermost-end 230.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using 500 an apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using an apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may include one or more components or features of the apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using 500 an apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing an apparatus for protecting a floatation device, the apparatus comprising an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end and a securing mechanism; step two 502, depositing a pontoon of a watercraft into the open back end of the elongate body until the pontoon is captured by the closed front end of the elongate body; step three 503, locking said securing mechanism in a closed position; step four 504, releasing said securing means to remove said apparatus for protecting a floatation device for cleaning.

It should be noted that step 504 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using an apparatus for protecting a floatation device 100, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An apparatus for protecting a floatation device, said apparatus comprising: an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end; and a securing mechanism, said securing mechanism having; a first end and a second end, and wherein said securing mechanism is removably attached to said open back end of said elongate body, and wherein said securing mechanism is configured to secure said floatation device in said elongate body; and wherein said apparatus is configured to protect said floatation device from damage.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a protective cover.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said floatation device is a pontoon.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said damage includes fading from prolonged sun exposure.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said protective cover is configured to prevent said floatation device from direct contact with rocky shores and docks.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to slide over said floatation device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate body is made of hard plastic.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an elongate-body-diameter is greater in length than a floatation-device-diameter.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said open back end of said elongate body is U-shaped.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said U-shaped open back end includes two portions.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said two portions of said U-shaped open back end includes a left portion and a right portion.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said securing mechanism is a strap.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said strap is positioned between said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said right portion of said U-shaped open back end.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a left-portion-uppermost-end.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a right-portion-uppermost-end.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said securing mechanism is positioned below said uppermost end of said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said uppermost end of said right portion of said U-shaped open back end.
 17. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said closed front end of said elongate body is substantially tapered.
 18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said protective cover is configured to be personalized for ease of making ready identification.
 19. An apparatus for protecting a floatation device, said apparatus comprising: an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end; a securing mechanism, said securing mechanism having, a first end and a second end, and wherein said securing mechanism is removably attached to said open back end of said elongate body and, wherein said securing mechanism is configured to secure said floatation device in said elongate body; wherein said apparatus is configured to protect said floatation device from damage; wherein said apparatus is a protective cover; wherein said floatation device is a pontoon; wherein said damage includes fading from prolonged sun exposure; wherein said protective cover is configured to prevent said floatation device from direct contact with rocky shores and docks; wherein said apparatus is configured to slide over said floatation device; wherein said elongate body is made of hard plastic; wherein an elongate-body-diameter is greater in length than a floatation-device-diameter; wherein said open back end of said elongate body is U-shaped; wherein said U-shaped open back end includes two portions; wherein said two portions of said U-shaped open back end includes a left portion and a right portion; wherein said securing mechanism is a strap; wherein said strap is positioned between said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said right portion of said U-shaped open back end; wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a left-portion-uppermost-end; wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a right-portion-uppermost-end; wherein said securing mechanism is positioned below said uppermost end of said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said uppermost end of said right portion of said U-shaped open back end; wherein said closed front end of said elongate body is substantially tapered; and wherein said protective cover is configured to be personalized for ease of making ready identification.
 20. A method of using an apparatus for protecting a floatation device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for protecting a floatation device, said apparatus comprising an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end and a securing mechanism; depositing a pontoon of a watercraft into said open back end of said elongate body until said pontoon is captured by said closed front end of said elongate body; locking said securing mechanism in a closed position; and releasing said securing means to remove said apparatus for protecting a floatation device for cleaning. 